Cobaltchat.com

Cobalt and merc well unless your from Wisconsin you don't find too many. Merc owns Searay and that's competition to Cobalt so they push Volvo. That's my opinion. It's a shame. But really Volvo is rock solid and if I didn't live here I would get one in a heart beat. I don't think getting service is that difficult anymore. Years ago yes but that's the past. Volvo is using new tech and merc is falling behind. Unless you really want a BB then the choice is easy. Good luck. If you see a 430 you better have cash in hand and be ready to buy on the spot.

ocurtis wrote: Tue Jun 16, 2020 9:42 pm

tgrace98 wrote: Tue Jun 16, 2020 9:37 pm

ocurtis wrote: Tue Jun 16, 2020 9:06 pm Got some good response! I am planning an R5 or 242 wss in my future, and the 8.2 Merc is a must. I am hoping to find one that is 4-5 years old with a tower.
Any feedback on the Volvo 380 option Inc comparison to the Merc? My main concern is service centers

About 85% of the r series Cobalt’s have the volvo motors. They are the new series gm motors so service is not hard to find.

I have the 6.2 vp 380 in my R7 and love it. I came from a big block and the new small blocks have every bit the power the old big blocks had.

and of those 85%, 90% are the 300hp, 15% are the 350, and 380 are impossible to find!

I would consider an R7 too. I really need to narrow down at some point haha! If I could spend $150k and order my perfect boat this would be a lot easier!

Seems like the newer ones have the bigger motor as they figured out the best power plant for the boat. The local dealership here to me stocks all their R5's with the 380 now.

I have new R5 with the Volvo 380. Engine sounded great on start up, but before I could get it broken in it broke ( only 8.5 hours). Completely locked up.

New engine on order...not sure how I feel about that.

Max wrote: Wed Jun 17, 2020 12:21 pm I have new R5 with the Volvo 380. Engine sounded great on start up, but before I could get it broken in it broke ( only 8.5 hours). Completely locked up.

New engine on order...not sure how I feel about that.

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Hey Max. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

Sorry to hear about your R5 engine. A few other forum members have had similar issues. One just posted today as well in this thread here.

The Dealer should work with you on this.

Keep us posted.

Btw, any pics of your R5?

Again welcome aboard mate.

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2013 R5 with Merc. 380/496. 56 on gps.

Brks_rus wrote: Sun Jun 21, 2020 1:51 pm 2013 R5 with Merc. 380/496. 56 on gps.

Hey Brks_ where did you buy your R5? That looks identical to an R5 that is was about to purchase from Coralville Marine back in 2014. I backed out because once my local dealer heard I was about to sign the papers the R5 at Coralville they made me deal that I couldn’t refuse on the R5 that they had in stock up here in MN.

I have a 2018 R5 with the 8.2 380 HP. Top Speed 55 MPH with no arch. What I love most about having the BB is that you can lope along at 3200 RPM's and be doing 35 MPH. That seems to be where the hull/engine are the most efficient. I often cruise at 3000 RPM, but will only make 31 MPH. By bumping up just 200 RPM you pick up 5 MPH. I wanted a BB and the biggest factor for me was that the local Marina is a Mercury dealer and is easier for to service than the VP. Several guys on this site were laughing at me for wanting the BB, but, I just love low end torque. I also own several BB classic cars, and would venture to say that several guys have not experience 500 foot pounds of torque at 3000 RPM! Don't get me wrong, I like the LS engine too. I have the 6.2 420 HP 480 Torque engine in my truck. Just wanted the BB in my boat.

LJLakeYlee wrote: Sun Jul 12, 2020 8:21 am I have a 2018 R5 with the 8.2 380 HP. Top Speed 55 MPH with no arch. What I love most about having the BB is that you can lope along at 3200 RPM's and be doing 35 MPH. That seems to be where the hull/engine are the most efficient. I often cruise at 3000 RPM, but will only make 31 MPH. By bumping up just 200 RPM you pick up 5 MPH. I wanted a BB and the biggest factor for me was that the local Marina is a Mercury dealer and is easier for to service than the VP. [*]Several guys on this site were laughing at me for wanting the BB[*] but, I just love low end torque. I also own several BB classic cars, and would venture to say that several guys have not experience 500 foot pounds of torque at 3000 RPM! Don't get me wrong, I like the LS engine too. I have the 6.2 420 HP 480 Torque engine in my truck. Just wanted the BB in my boat.

Who on this site would be laughing at you for wanting a BB in a R5? I will get them banned. Must have been DP!

Big Block Power wrote: Sun Jul 12, 2020 8:26 am

LJLakeYlee wrote: Sun Jul 12, 2020 8:21 am I have a 2018 R5 with the 8.2 380 HP. Top Speed 55 MPH with no arch. What I love most about having the BB is that you can lope along at 3200 RPM's and be doing 35 MPH. That seems to be where the hull/engine are the most efficient. I often cruise at 3000 RPM, but will only make 31 MPH. By bumping up just 200 RPM you pick up 5 MPH. I wanted a BB and the biggest factor for me was that the local Marina is a Mercury dealer and is easier for to service than the VP. [*]Several guys on this site were laughing at me for wanting the BB[*] but, I just love low end torque. I also own several BB classic cars, and would venture to say that several guys have not experience 500 foot pounds of torque at 3000 RPM! Don't get me wrong, I like the LS engine too. I have the 6.2 420 HP 480 Torque engine in my truck. Just wanted the BB in my boat.

Who on this site would be laughing at you for wanting a BB in a R5? I will get them banned. Must have been DP!

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I agree. Haven’t seen anyone laughing about power upgrades.

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Oh it was all in jest for sure. Obviously coming from a VP SB owner! HaHa!

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1604&p=34247#p34247

Got ya. I think the whole Discussion and many have followed
has been VP is new technology where merc has just sat back and stayed with the BB and old tech. I 100% see where T stands with the weight ratio. It makes sense. But no one will deny the BB sound and torgue. It will always have a value and a place in our hearts!!

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Agreed. No laughing about or making fun of power upgrades in that thread. That discussion was about smaller lighter engines with more horsepower than bigger engines. (like VP’s new 6.2L 430 horse vs Merc’s 8.2L 430 horse). Let’s face it, more horsepower to lighter weight ratio of an engine yet still being practical & marketable to the consumer market is what all manufacturers are trying to achieve. If Merc (or VP) mass produced a 1200 horsepower 2 cylinder for the consumer market I’d have that in my boat. Then I’d record a big block sound and pump that through my tower speakers on start up.




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Fine! I'll show you my 8.2 Merc.

Nice m2011!

My dealer built an R3 with a BB and CC a couple years ago...It’s on Chautauqua Lake. I’ll let you know when the owner sells it BB.